France's Euro 2024 Journey: Opponent Possibilities and Squad Analysis

Didier Deschamps will be hoping that his French squad can recover from a disappointing Euro 2020 campaign in which they were eliminated on penalties to Switzerland in the round of 16 and a heartbreaking World Cup final loss to Argentina in Qatar in 2022. The French national team will attempt to advance to the round of 16 in Germany.

They remain among the favorites to win Euro 2024, trailing England in the uncontested market as is customary. With a multitude of up-and-coming talents, the firepower of Kylian Mbappé, and the versatility of Antoine Griezmann, they are anticipated to make a significant impact in the competition. It would not be out of the question if they matched Italy and Germany as the most prosperous nations in the history of the competition with three European Championship trophies.

Possible knockout stage opponents of France

Should France win Group D, their next opponents in the round of sixteen would be Turkey, Portugal, or the Czech Republic, the Group F runners-up. Next up in the quarterfinals is either the Group E winner or a third-place team from A/B/C/D, most likely Belgium. Should France get to the semi-finals using this route, they will play England should they win their group. After that, in the championship game, Germany and Spain.

France's Star Player For The Euro 2024

Key Player: Kylian Mbappe

Key statistic: In only 34 games in 2023–24, Kylian Mbappé became the first player in Europe's top five divisions to be directly involved in 40+ goals across all competitions.

Kylian Mbappé is no stranger to playing on the most prominent platforms in international football; he broke the record for the most goals scored in men's World Cup finals with a hat-trick against Argentina in Qatar. He will be trying to add a European Championship Golden Boot to his World Cup one. In that competition, only Lionel Messi could equal his goal involvement (10), having more touches in the opposition area, creating more opportunities, and scoring more goals than any other player.

Only Viktor Gyökeres (50) and Harry Kane (46) have been directly involved in more goals across all competitions in Europe's top seven leagues in 2023–24 than Mbappé (46), who has scored an impressive 323 goals and 130 assists in just 432 appearances at the March international break.

Having scored 24 goals in 24 games and averaged 2.6 shots on target per 90, he is also on track to win the Ligue 1 Golden Boot for a record-breaking sixth straight.

France's primary playmaker: Antoine Griezmann

Key statistic: Antoine Griezmann produced 22 opportunities in the 2022 World Cup, more than any other player, and he also contributed 3 assists.

Though France has a wealth of offensive skills, Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid is the leading man for Les Bleus. Though he plays up front for his team, where he has scored the joint-most goals in the Champions League so far this season, the 33-year-old has settled in well at number 10 for his nation, and Didier Deschamps' choice to place him there has paid off handsomely.

He led the World Cup in Qatar in terms of most passes into the box (51), most chances created (22), and, with three assists, joined Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Ivan Perisic, and Bruno Fernandes at the top of the assist rankings. In the current France team, he is difficult to replace because of his outstanding defensive effort, his capacity to (almost) always be available, and his world record for the most straight international appearances (84).

France card magnets & top tacklers: Eduardo Camavinga

Key statistic: Eduardo Camavinga is the Real Madrid player with the most fouls and yellow cards in La Liga this season.

Because of his adaptability, Eduardo Camavinga is an essential player for the France team. Didier Deschamps can alter his tactics during play if necessary, mainly if France is down, thanks to his versatility in playing throughout the midfield and at left-back if required (a role he played to an excellent high quality for Los Blancos last season).

This season, the Real Madrid midfielder has 57 tackles in La Liga, ranking him in the top 10; however, he is far behind Óscar Valentín (83) in the top position. In addition to getting the most yellow cards for Madrid in the league, he leads his team in fouls committed this season with 38, 12 more than any of his colleagues.

France rising star: Warren Zaïre-Emery

Warren Zaïre-Emery, who is just eighteen, has claimed the center midfield position for PSG this season, and it won't be long until the same thing occurs for the national team. Only Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka have more assists this season, but he is the youngest goalscorer in PSG history in Ligue 1 at only 16 years and 330 days old. He is also the youngster with the most goal involvement in the Champions League so far.

Having just been called up to the U21 squad in August of last year, when he captained the team on his debut, it has also been a quick ascent into international football. In November, he was called up to the senior squad and scored his first goal in the 14-0 defeat of Gibraltar.

France Tactical Analysis

As manager of France, Didier Deschamps discovered his perfect configuration, a 4-2-3-1 lineup. He has sometimes tried with a 4-4-2 formation, but often when Kylian Mbappé was not available.

Tchouaméni is the link between defense and midfield in the 4-2-3-1, and he is crucial to France's progress in the defense. Real Madrid colleague Eduardo Camavinga fits in nicely next to him in a more box-to-box role; Adrien Rabiot is also capable of performing that role.

Theo Hernandez can do what he does best: fly down the left side, allowing Kylian Mbappé the freedom to cut inside, giving the opposition all sorts of headaches. Benjamin Pavard and Jules Koundé are expected to fight it out for the right-back position, making a back three alongside the two center-backs in possession.

With his ability to hold up the ball and bring others into action vital in the manner Deschamps sets up, Olivier Giroud up front will be seeking to extend his lead as his country's all-time top goalscorer. The adaptable Antoine Griezmann will be right behind, gliding in between the lines. Most of France's build-up passes via the Atleti man, who has shown remarkable tight control and an eye for the ball in his new position for the national team.

After completing the offensive portion of France's lineup, Ousmane Dembélé has made the proper flank position his own with some outstanding World Cup performances and is anticipated to remain on the squad against Germany.

Expected XI

The only guarantee at the back is Maignan, but even with Pavard's competition, it would be surprising if Saliba didn't start. With Lucas Hernandez absent, Konate ought to be the other center-half.

The best attacking option at left-back is Theo Hernandez, who was, somewhat revealingly, selected for both of the group games against the Dutch; it is unclear who will play on the other side. Kounde did not seem comfortable against Chile; thus, Deschamps seems to prefer Clauss over him right now, although Pavard is still a candidate.

Though Kante is back after almost two years away, Tchouameni, Rabiot, and Griezmann—who will be allowed to get forward and assist Giroud—will most likely make up the midfield. The width will probably come from Captain Mbappe and the fit again from Coman.

France XI (4-3-3): Maignan; Clauss, Saliba, Konate, Theo Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot, Griezmann; Coman, Giroud, Mbappe.

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